Techniques for improving pressure sensor shock robustness in fluid containment devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A fluid containment device, comprising:
- a reservoir structure for holding a supply of fluid;
a fluid passageway in fluid communication with the reservoir structure and leading to a fluid port;
a sensor port in fluid communication with the fluid passageway;
a sensor mounted at the sensor port, the sensor including a substrate and a sensor die mounted on the substrate, the substrate having a surface exposed to fluid in the fluid passageway, the sensor die responsive to fluid pressure differentials to generate an electrical sensor signal; and
a mechanical filter for protecting the sensor die against sudden fluid pressure spikes.
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Abstract
Techniques are disclosed for improving pressure sensor shock robustness in fluid containment devices by providing a mechanical filter configured to prevent high-frequency pressure shocks from damaging the pressure sensor. One approach includes a body of elastomeric material disposed on an external surface of the sensor. Another approach is a porous plug in a fluid pathway leading to the sensor. Yet another approach is to provide a seal structure with a labyrinth fluid path.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1. A fluid containment device, comprising:
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a reservoir structure for holding a supply of fluid;
a fluid passageway in fluid communication with the reservoir structure and leading to a fluid port;
a sensor port in fluid communication with the fluid passageway;
a sensor mounted at the sensor port, the sensor including a substrate and a sensor die mounted on the substrate, the substrate having a surface exposed to fluid in the fluid passageway, the sensor die responsive to fluid pressure differentials to generate an electrical sensor signal; and
a mechanical filter for protecting the sensor die against sudden fluid pressure spikes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A fluid containment device, comprising:
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a reservoir structure for holding a supply of fluid;
a fluid passageway in fluid communication with the reservoir structure and leading to a fluid port disposed in a sensor fluid passageway;
a sensor port in fluid communication with the fluid passageway;
a sensor mounted at the sensor port, the sensor including a substrate and a sensor die mounted on the substrate, the sensor die responsive to fluid pressure differentials to generate an electrical sensor signal; and
a mechanical filter for protecting the sensor die against sudden fluid pressure spikes, the mechanical filter comprising a porous member disposed in said sensor fluid passageway, said porous member allowing sufficient fluid flow therethrough to pass gradual changes in pressure, but insufficient fluid flow therethrough to allow passage of said sudden fluid pressure spikes, wherein the porous member is a porous metal plug. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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6. A fluid containment device, comprising:
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a reservoir structure for holding a supply of fluid;
a fluid passageway in fluid communication with the reservoir structure and leading to a fluid port;
a sensor port in fluid communication with the fluid passageway;
a sensor mounted at the sensor port, the sensor including a substrate and a sensor die mounted on the substrate, the sensor die responsive to fluid pressure differentials to generate en electrical sensor signal; and
a mechanical filter for protecting the sensor die against sudden fluid pressure spikes, wherein said mechanical filter comprises;
a labyrinth seal structure positioned between the sensor and the sensor port, said seal structure including a gland structure for providing a fluid seal, and a labyrinth fluid flow path between a reservoir side of the seal structure and a sensor side of the seal structure. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A fluid containment device, comprising:
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a reservoir structure for holding a supply of fluid, wherein said reservoir structure includes a flaccid bag;
a fluid passageway in fluid communication with the reservoir structure and leading to a fluid port;
a sensor port in fluid communication with the fluid passageway;
a sensor mounted at the sensor port, the sensor including a substrate and a sensor die mounted on the substrate, the sensor die responsive to fluid pressure differentials to generate an electrical sensor signal; and
a mechanical filter for protecting the sensor die against sudden fluid pressure spikes. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A fluid containment device, comprising:
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a pressure vessel;
a reservoir structure disposed within said pressure vessel for holding a supply of fluid, the reservoir structure having a collapsible wall;
an air region within said pressure vessel and outside the reservoir structure for holding air under positive pressure and apply positive pressure on fluid held in the reservoir structure;
a fluid supply passageway in fluid communication with the reservoir structure and leading to a fluid port;
an air passageway in fluid communication with the air region for connection to a source of pressurized air;
a fluid sensor passageway in fluid communication between the fluid supply passageway and a sensor port;
a sensor mounted at the sensor port, the sensor including a substrate and a sensor die mounted on the substrate, the sensor die responsive to fluid pressure differentials to generate an electrical sensor signal; and
a protection structure for protecting the sensor die against sudden pressure spikes. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A fluid containment device, comprising:
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a pressure vessel;
a reservoir structure disposed within said pressure vessel for holding a supply of fluid, the reservoir structure having a collapsible wall;
an air region within said pressure vessel and outside the reservoir structure for holding air under positive pressure and apply positive pressure on fluid held in the reservoir structure;
a fluid supply passageway in fluid communication with the reservoir structure and leading to a fluid port disposed in a sensor fluid passageway;
an air passageway in fluid communication with the air region for connection to a source of pressurized air;
a fluid sensor passageway in fluid communication between the fluid supply passageway and a sensor port;
a sensor mounted at the sensor port, the sensor including a substrate and a sensor die mounted on the substrate, the sensor die responsive to fluid pressure differentials to generate an electrical sensor signal; and
a protection structure for protecting the sensor die against sudden pressure spikes, said protection structure comprising a porous member disposed in said sensor fluid passageway, said porous member allowing sufficient fluid flow therethrough to pass gradual changes in pressure, but insufficient fluid flow therethrough to allow passage of said sudden fluid pressure spikes, wherein the porous member is a porous metal plug. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A fluid containment device, comprising:
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a pressure vessel;
a reservoir structure disposed within said pressure vessel for holding a supply of fluid, the reservoir structure having a collapsible wall;
an air region within said pressure vessel and outside the reservoir structure for holding air under positive pressure and apply positive pressure on fluid held in the reservoir structure;
a fluid supply passageway in fluid communication with the reservoir structure and leading to a fluid port;
an air passageway in fluid communication with the air region for connection to a source of pressurized air;
a fluid sensor passageway in fluid communication between the fluid supply passageway and a sensor port;
a sensor mounted at the sensor port, the sensor including a substrate and a sensor die mounted on the substrate, the sensor die responsive to fluid pressure differentials to generate an electrical sensor signal; and
a protection structure for protecting the sensor die against sudden pressure spikes, wherein said protection structure comprises;
a labyrinth seal structure positioned between the sensor and the sensor port, said seal structure including a gland structure for providing a fluid seal, and a labyrinth fluid flow path between a reservoir side of the seal structure and a sensor side of the seal structure. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A pressure sensor device, comprising:
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a pressure sensitive structure which deflects in response to a pressure differential to provide an electrical sensor signal indicative of said pressure differential, wherein the pressure sensitive structure has a first surface exposed to a first fluid in a fluid passageway and a second surface exposed to a second fluid or gas; and
a protection structure for protecting the pressure sensitive structure against sudden spikes in said pressure differential, said protection structure comprising a body of low-stiffness material disposed on said second surface of the pressure sensitive structure. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31. A pressure sensor device, comprising:
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a pressure sensitive structure which deflects in response to a pressure differential to provide an electrical sensor signal indicative of said pressure differential; and
a protection structure for protecting the pressure sensitive structure against sudden spikes in said pressure differential, said protection structure comprising a labyrinth seal structure positioned between the sensor and a sensor port, said seal structure including a gland structure for providing a fluid seal, and a labyrinth fluid flow path between a reservoir side of the seal structure and a sensor side of the seal structure. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A pressure sensor device, comprising:
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a substrate having opposed first and second surfaces;
a pressure sensitive structure attached to said substrate and responsive to a pressure differential between a first fluid pressure applied to the first surface and a second fluid pressure applied to the second surface to provide an electrical sensor signal indicative of said pressure differential, said pressure sensitive structure comprising a body of low-stiffness material disposed on said second surface the pressure sensitive structure. - View Dependent Claims (37)
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38. A pressure sensor device, comprising:
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a substrate having opposed first and second surfaces;
a pressure sensitive structure attached to said substrate and responsive to a pressure differential between a first fluid pressure applied to the first surface and a second fluid pressure applied to the second surface to provide an electrical sensor signal indicative of said pressure differential, said protection structure comprising a labyrinth seal structure positioned between the sensor and the sensor port, said seal structure including a gland structure for providing a fluid seal, and a labyrinth fluid flow path between a reservoir side of the seal structure and a sensor side of the seal structure. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A fluid containment device, comprising:
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a reservoir structure for holding a supply of fluid;
a sensor port in fluid communication with the reservoir structure;
a sensor mounted at the sensor port, the sensor including a substrate and a sensor die mounted on a first surface of the substrate, the substrate having a second surface exposed to the fluid, the sensor die responsive to fluid pressure differentials to generate an electrical sensor signal; and
means for protecting the sensor die against sudden fluid pressure spikes. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45)
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46. A fluid containment device, comprising:
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a reservoir structure for holding a supply of fluid;
a sensor port in fluid communication with the reservoir structure and in a sensor fluid passageway;
a sensor mounted at the sensor port, the sensor including a substrate and a sensor die mounted on the substrate, the sensor die responsive to fluid pressure differentials to generate an electrical sensor signal; and
means for protecting the sensor die against sudden fluid pressure spikes, said means comprising a porous member disposed in said sensor fluid passageway, said porous member allowing sufficient fluid how therethrough to pass gradual changes in pressure, but insufficient fluid how therethrough to allow passage of said sudden fluid pressure spikes, wherein the porous member is a porous metal plug. - View Dependent Claims (47)
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48. A fluid containment device, comprising:
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a reservoir structure for holding a supply of fluid;
a sensor port in fluid communication with the reservoir structure;
a sensor mounted at the sensor port, the sensor including a substrate end a sensor die mounted on the substrate, the sensor die responsive to fluid pressure differentials to generate an electrical sensor signal; and
means for protecting the sensor die against sudden fluid pressure spikes, wherein said means for protecting the sensor die comprises;
a labyrinth seal structure positioned between the sensor and the sensor port, said seal structure including a gland structure for providing a fluid seal, and a labyrinth fluid flow path between a reservoir side of the seal structure and a sensor side of the seal structure. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A fluid containment device, comprising:
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a reservoir structure for holding a supply of fluid, wherein said reservoir structure includes a flaccid bag;
a sensor port in fluid communication with the reservoir structure;
a sensor mounted at the sensor port, the sensor including a substrate and a sensor die mounted on the substrate, the sensor die responsive to fluid pressure differentials to generate an electrical sensor signal; and
means for protecting the sensor die against sudden fluid pressure spikes. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56)
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Specification